So there I was, sitting in the second row in a packed convention hall in Caesars Palace Las Vegas at Solidworks World 2006. It was barely a month after hosting the first inaugural meeting of the Los Angeles Solidworks Usergroup. Among the sights and sounds and the over 3,500 people, sitting right in front of me is Jon McEleney, the C.E.O. of Solidworks. Just a day earlier, I got to hear from Jon in an up close small meeting of user group leaders. During that meeting, Jon offered to attend any of our meetings and speak. So as I see him thumbing through his PDA, I start to think that I could ask him, and see what happens. Whats the worst that can happen? So after a few minutes of going back and forth in my mind, I get up, walk around to him and introduce myself. Instantly Jon greets me like an old friend. And once I mention being a group leader, he thanks me for being a part of the community, and asking how can he help me out. So I remind him of the offer he made the day before. He simply grabs his business card, hands it to me, and tells me to send him an email, and he will make sure to get it set up. Two months later, I'm sitting in a meeting room watching Jon speak to 60 members of our group.
Here is a guy that heads up a multi million dollar company, yet he comes across and speaks to you like he is an everyday CAD user, and thats because he is. This is what separates Jon from everyone else. He took the time to make sure he could make it out to our group to speak to some users. Prior to that meeting, I had received an email from a user that was frustrated with a feature that wouldn't work the way he needed it too. I told him to make sure he showed up, and that there would be someone that he could complain to. After the meeting I introduced that guy to Jon, and the next thing I knew, they are sitting there on a laptop recreating the guys issue. After a few minutes, Jon looks up from behind the screen, looks to the tech support guys in attendance, and says "he's right, its a bug." He then reaches into his pocket, grabs a business card, and tells the guy that the problem will get passed along to the correct people, and be fixed.
Fast forward to Solidworks World 2007 in New Orleans. After a day of excellent sessions, I make my way back to my hotel. As I"m leaving the conference center, I see Jon sitting with a fellow usergroup leader, and they are looking at a laptop. No doubt, Jon is once again consumed in Solidworks, trying to fix something, or make something better. It instantly reminds me of his tech support he gave to our member at our meeting. I am once again reminded just how much this guy loves his job, and how much more he loves interacting with the people that use it.
Recently on Roopinder Tara's Blog, a story was posted announcing that Jon would be stepping down as C.E.O. of Solidworks at the end of 2007. When I first read it, it was almost unreal. I have seen how passionate this guy is about Solidworks. Take a few minutes and read the story over at Roopinder's blog, and you will quickly see just how much of a nice guy Jon really is, and his reason for stepping down.
I like to think that introducing myself to Jon that morning set in motion what is now referred to as his 'Annual Usergroup Tour'. After he appeared at our meeting, I got a few emails asking how I got him to show up. My answer was simple "I just asked him."
So Jon, thanks for being so cordial to myself, and for taking the time to come out and speak at our meeting. I would like to let you know that tomorrow night we will announce that we will be naming you an honorary permanent member of the Los Angeles Solidworks Usergroup. To this day I still hear conversations among the members about how they couldn't believe he came to speak to them. I'm sure your position will be left in good hands with Jeff Ray, but you will be missed by many.
I look forward to bumping into you next year in San Diego, and if you ever need a vacation out to Sunny So California, you are always welcome as a permanent member of the Los Angeles Solidworks Usergroup.
Cool story. I'm sorry to see him go too.
Posted by: matt | July 20, 2007 at 08:47 AM